Today’s batch of burning questions, my smart-aleck answers and the real deal:
Question: On Brevard Road (N.C. 191) in the late afternoon there is an incredible bottleneck at the intersection of Avery Creek Road and Southwicke Drive. There is a stoplight there. The problem is that vehicles heading south that want to turn onto Southwicke have only a very short green arrow. Consequently, any vehicles that are behind the next vehicle that wants to make a left turn simply sit and sit and sit, until the next light change, because of the level of oncoming traffic heading north into Asheville. Traffic gets backed up for a long way. Once you get past that stoplight, it's smooth sailing. Is the DOT considering putting an extra lane in on the right-hand side of the road so that through-traffic can continue to move in the direction of Brevard and Hendersonville, and individuals who want to turn onto Southwicke can be in a turn lane? Also, on some of these really congested crossings where there are stop lights, is there any possibility of having a "smart stop light" that has some sort of camera device that can determine how to move traffic most efficiently? Do smart stop lights even exist?
My answer: As someone who routinely drives Hendersonville Road in South Asheville, I'm controlling guffaws at the mention of "smart stop lights." Seriously, I think I hit 22 red lights on my way into Asheville the other day.
Real answer: This is a good news/bad news scenario.
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"A project to improve this area has been identified — but is currently unfunded — and must compete for funding against other projects from a 17-county radius in the State Transportation Improvement Plan 7.0, which begins next summer," Anna Henderson, NCDOT Division 13 Traffic Engineer, said via email.
Henderson noted that more-advanced or “smarter” traffic signal equipment "would not change the fact that five approaching roadways intersect at one point."
"The timing of this traffic signal is more complicated than most, because there are five approaching roadways that intersect at one point," Henderson said. "With only one southbound lane for N.C. 191 drivers, the pavement sensor cannot differentiate between a motorist turning left onto Southwicke Drive or going straight on N.C. 191."
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That means only "a minimum amount of time is provided for the green arrow onto Southwicke, because while traffic is moving for that approach, it is stopped on the remaining four approaches," Henderson said, adding that right of way constraints also are a consideration before adding additional turn lanes.
"This traffic signal is connected to our Asheville City Signal System, has pavement sensors for detecting motorists, and is equipped with timing programs to help the signal better move traffic," Henderson added.
Question: We have driven down Leicester Highway a few times since last December, and no work appears to have been completed in that time frame: same cones up, same area blacktopped/completed, no equipment or workers on the road. Perhaps it is an optical illusion, perhaps we are mistaken. What is the prognosis, Dr. Boyle, and when can everyone expect resumption/completion of the work?
My answer: Wait a second, I'm "Dr. Boyle" now? My fee just went up to $400 per question!
Real answer: We have only good news on this one.
"The N.C. 63 widening from the intersection of Gilbert Road to the intersection of Newfound Road is in its final stages of construction," NCDOT spokesperson Jennifer Thompson said via email. "The contractor is working on addressing some outstanding issues involving paving and drainage and has started installing permanent pavement markings."
This project has been dragging on for quite a while. As I noted in an April 2021 column, the $34.8 million project comprises widening 4.3 miles of Leicester Highway, reducing curves and flattening slopes.
In 2021, the DOT said it was on track for completion last fall, although a DOT resident engineer, Jody Lawrence, said then, "The contractor, Tennoca Construction, encountered various delays since the start in 2015, including utility conflicts, COVID-19, and some adverse weather conditions."
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At any rate, the project is wrapping up now.
"Once the permanent pavement markings are complete, the contractor will remove the traffic control devices and open the roadway to full access to the traveling public," Thompson said Sept. 12. "All of this will hopefully take place by the end of this week. The contractor should be completely finished with all outstanding items by the end of September."
This is the opinion of John Boyle. To submit a question, contact him at 232-5847 or [email protected]